Grow Your Life

“Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.” – Warren Buffett

I came across this quote recently and it really stuck with me. Of course, Mr. Buffett was speaking about investing money wisely for the long-term but this sentiment extends way beyond healthy monetary longevity. It can be ascribed to many parts of life.

For me, as an acting teacher and coach, the idea of self-investment is what I strive for my students to take to heart. It is the most important thing I teach. An acting career is built upon decades of hard, consistent work. It takes passion, a willingness to start over (again and again), the desire to learn and re-learn as you change and grow as a person and artist, and the ability to get back up when every part of you wants to tap out. An acting practice takes years to hone. There are no short cuts. No get rich quick schemes. It takes coming back to your practice every single day. Figuring out what works for you, finding the tribe that supports you, not judging yourself, and then repeating what works and jettisoning what does not. It’s planting seeds every single day that YOU are an artist who works hard and can be trusted to bring stories to life.

Those who are lucky enough to have careers in this business know it’s NOT luck or talent. Talent is important but only a small part of what is needed. It’s finding the tools you need and leaving the rest. So that one day, you can look around and see this beautiful world that YOU’VE created with all the seeds you’ve planted. And then, you get back to work. Because, it’s all about the work.